Can I eat grapefruits during pregnancy?

Grapefruits are citrus fruits that contain a plethora of nutrients. Usually, you would be safe off eating grapefruits at any time of the day, but things are different during pregnancy. Food becomes a touchy subject when you are pregnant, so it is best to do your research even when you are considering eating something as innocuous and healthy as grapefruits. In this article, we have done the hard work and put together information about the benefits and side effects of eating grapefruits during pregnancy. Go ahead and find out.

Lowers risk of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a moderately common condition during pregnancy, but that does not make it any less deadly. It is characterized by high levels of protein in the urine, with an increase in blood pressure. It can lead to several complications, such as heavy bleeding, premature disjunction of the placenta from the uterus, liver rupture, and sometimes death. The high amount of potassium and lycopene in grapefruits helps in curbing the risk of preeclampsia considerably.

Reduces morning sickness

Pregnancy does upturn the body’s system considerably, thanks to all the changes in hormones. Thus leads to several issues, not the least of which is digestive problems. Morning sickness is a very real symptom of pregnancy, and persists for a long period of the first trimester, beginning sometime around the sixth week and lasting till the 18th week. Morning sickness is a deceptive nomenclature, however, considering it can happen anytime during the day. The feeling of nausea and the fear of throwing up wreaks havoc with the woman’s appetite, and grapefruits can help considerably in this regard.

Lowers blood sugar levels

Grapefruits are very useful in lowering the blood sugar levels and starches in the body. This makes the fruit particular helpful for the pregnant woman, who runs the slight but deadly risk of developing gestational diabetes. This is a form of diabetes that can affect a pregnant woman irrespective of whether she has a history of diabetes or not, and can have devastating effects on the pregnancy. Grapefruits, because of their very low sugar content, are very safe fruits to consume during pregnancy. Besides, the low sugar also means that you can eat them happily to satisfy your sugar cravings and not worry about putting on excess weight.

Regulates digestion

The fiber and water content in grapefruits is very high, which ensures that the pregnant woman gets relief from the constipation that inevitably sets in during pregnancy. Eating a grapefruit regularly will ensure that the metabolism remains in shape and bowel movements become easier. Besides, the incredibly high water content in a grapefruit- one fruit is almost ninety percent water- ensures that the woman stays hydrated, which is also very important in pregnancy.

Good for bone development

Grapefruits contain a lot of calcium, which is essential for keeping the bones of the mother and the child healthy. Low bone density is very common in pregnancy, and eating plenty of grapefruit ensures that the mother does not suffer from it. Besides, the calcium content also ensures that the baby’s skeletal structure is healthy as it grows.

Good for neural growth

Grapefruits contain a good amount of folic acid which is one of the principal nutrients a woman must take during her pregnancy. Folic acid helps in developing the spine and neural system of the baby, ensuring that there is lowered risk of developing defects in the neural tube or the spine.

A word of caution

However, like everything else, there are also some side effects to eating grapefruits during pregnancy, although they will vary from person to person. If you are allergic to citrus fruits, for example, it is best to not consume grapefruits, even though there have been no previous instances of allergic reaction to them. Additionally, it may hamper the effect of certain medications.

Also read: Can I eat oranges during pregnancy?

No two pregnancies are exactly alike, and it is best to not go by hearsay information and take expert help instead. The best course of action would be to consult your doctor first, who will be able to give you the most complete diet chart in accordance to your current health and medical history. Most importantly, keep in mind that the key to good health is moderation, so eat the recommended food only in the recommended proportions, even if it is something as healthy as a grapefruit.

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